League Rules/Bylaws

IDAHO FALLS ADULT SOCCER

ASSOCIATION
BYLAWS
Revised March 2020

  1. PLAYING SEASONS AND TEAM FORMATION
    1. The IFASA playing year shall begin in April, weather permitting, and consist of two seasons, Spring and Summer. During the Spring season, two leagues shall be formed, one of all women players and one of all men players. During the Summer season, one league shall be formed, one of “co-ed” teams as defined in Section III, GAME RULES. Other leagues may be established or discontinued as determined by the board.
    2. To ensure that the schedule is ready at the beginning of the season, all teams must be registered at least four (4) weeks before play begins. The season schedule will be distributed to captains at least three  (3) days prior to the start of the season.
    3.  Players must be eighteen (18) years of age at the time of registration.
    4.  Each team shall receive appropriate equipment as determined by IFASA for each season
  2. REGISTRATION AND FEES
    1. The board will determine the registration fees, and the deadlines for registration for each playing period, prior to registration for that period.
    2. Players must pay a non-refundable registration fee before being eligible to play. A player card or proof of registration will be issued to confirm registration.
    3. If a player is unable to play due to extenuating circumstances, they may petition the board for a refund of their IFASA registration (not the state mandated insurance fee).
  3. GAME RULES

Play will be governed by FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) rules with the following exceptions:

  1. SLIDE TACKLES
    1. Slide-tackles are not allowed and will be considered “dangerous play.” Sliding away from an opponent (e.g, to keep the ball in play) is not a tackle, even though it is a sliding play on the ball, and therefore, should not be called a foul.
  2. SUBSTITUTION
    1. A team may substitute an unlimited number of times in each game and players may return to the game.
    2. Substitution may be made on: (1) Either team’s throw in (2) Any goal kick (3) Injury – either team may substitute for any player at the time of stoppage for injury (4) After any goal (5) At half time (6) After a player receives a yellow card.
  3. UNIFORMS
    1. All players shall wear a shirt of their team color during games with a unique number.
    2. Each team should file their team shirt color with the IFASA Board at the start of each soccer season.
    3. If there are similar colors, pennies may be provided by a board member or one of the teams can opt to change into a different color for that game.
  4. CO-ED SEASON SPECIAL RULES
    1. Only women shall take penalty kicks.
    2. No single person may score more than three (3) goals in a match.
    3. A team may play a maximum of six (6) men at one time.
    4. Captains of each team must wear a captain’s armband during the game for easy recognition. 

Only captains may talk to referees should they have any questions or concerns during the game – if any other player(s) becomes disrespectful or abusive then the referee may enforce any disciplinary measures they see fit. 

  1. MEN’S 7v7 SEASON SPECIAL RULES
    1. Keepers: After gaining fair possession of the ball in hand must ONLY throw the ball to return the ball to play.
      1. For clarification, Goalkeepers shall not punt or drop-kick the ball after possessing it with the hands. They may, after releasing the ball, dribble or pass it. If the goalkeeper punts or drop-kicks the ball, they shall be given a warning, and play restarted with an indirect free kick by the goalkeeper’s team from the point of the infraction. Repeated violations may be punished with a caution at the discretion of the referee
    2. Game Play:
      1. 30 minute halves
      2. No offsides
      3. 6 field players and 1 keeper
        1. Minimum 5 players to start (4 on field and 1 keeper)
      4. Substitute on any deadball with ref permission
      5. Restarts:
        1. Defending team provides 8 yards space from offending teams restart
        2. Goal kicks must be received within the same half of the field as taken
          1. For clarification, players from either team may receive the goal kick by (a) touching the ball or (b) by establishing and maintaining a position within playing distance of the ball. If a teammate of the kicker receives the goal kick in the opponent’s half, the goal kick shall be retaken and the kicking team given a warning. Repeated violations may be punished with a caution at the discretion of the referee. If the goal kick is received by an opponent in the opponent’s half, the kick shall be retaken unless advantage can be applied. If neither team receives the ball in the kicker’s half and the ball then crosses the opposite goal line or either touch line, the restart will be a goal kick or throw in, respectively, by the opponent.
  2. HOME TEAM
    1. The first team listed on the game schedule is designated the home team. The home team will furnish the game ball.
  3. TEAM ROSTERS
    1. Captains are responsible for printing their team roster each week and bringing it to the game. 
    2. All players must have registered in advance and they must have a clear photo of their face on their team’s roster.
    3. Referees will check rosters before every match. (To ensure that only registered players are participating, check name and picture of player on roster – write player’s shirt number next to player’s picture) Referees will write final score and any cards on roster. Referees will have captains check scores and sign the roster.  Referees will turn in to the IFASA Board at the end of the game.
    4. Should a team not have a printed roster at the start of the game, captains can show the referees their roster online and referees can “check” player names in order to get the game started. 
      1. However, the team has until half time to provide a printed roster. If a printed roster is provided by half time then all players must “check in” again and their number must be written on the roster. After all players have checked in, the second half can begin and the game can go on as usual. Referees will write the final score on roster and turn in to IFASA Board at the end of the game.
      2. If a printed roster is NOT provided by half time then the team forfeits and the game will be recorded as a 1-0 forfeit to the other team, unless the other team had a more favorable scoreline. In this case, referees should text the assignor about the situation and then they may leave.
    5. Fielding an ineligible player will result in a forfeit for that team.
    6. First infraction will result in a warning and forfeit.
    7. Second infraction will result in a forfeit and fee ($38 per ineligible player).
    8. Third infraction will result in a forfeit, fee and the team will not be allowed to return for the next season.
    9. Players may divide and join other teams, but no more than three players from that team may play together the following season. 
  1. REFEREES
    1. The league will strive to provide one referee and two assistant referees for all games.
    2. If no adult referee is available, certified youth referees may be utilized.
    3. If no referee is available, the teams can elect to play a friendly without a referee, captains will be responsible for the conduct of their players. The game will not be sanctioned by the league but may be rescheduled for another date.
    4. The officiating referee will be in charge of the game from the moment they enter the field of play until they leave it. Their decisions concerning the interpretation of the rules and on the play of the game are final.
    5. Any complaints, questions, or compliments on referees or assistant referees are to be directed to the IFASA Board.
  2. GAME PROTEST PROCEDURES
    1. To initiate a protest, the team captain must notify the IFASA Board via email at ifasaboard@gmail.com
  3. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES
    1. Physical or verbal abuse by players or observers will not be tolerated.
    2. Any player receiving:
      1. one (1) red card or
      2. three (3) yellow cards in one playing year shall be suspended from his/her next game in that league and any subsequent leagues in the intermediate time. Payment of a $25 fee from the offender is required for the player to be reinstated. Payment shall be to IFASA, and can be given to any board member for processing. If the player obtains a second suspension in the year, the player will be required to sit out the next game and pay a fee of $50 dollars.
      3. A player or coach receiving a third (3rd) suspension in one playing year will be suspended for the remainder of the playing year. The board will determine the fee for a third suspension.
      4. A player or captain/coach who is removed from the area of the field by the referee shall be prohibited from attending the team’s next scheduled game. If removed from the area of the field a second time during the same season, he/she will be prohibited from attending any of his team’s games for the remainder of the official season. Any infringement of the prohibition from attendance may result in forfeiture of the game.
      5. All penalties are subject to review for additional sanctioning by the board in the event of excessive or habitual offenses.
  4. FORFEITS
    1. Any of the following constitutes a game forfeiture:
      1. Fielding an ineligible or suspended player or coach.
      2. Team(s) fails to provide a printed roster by half time. The game will be recorded as a 1-0 forfeit to the other team, unless the other team had a more favorable scoreline.
      3. Any team which receives three (3) ejections during one game shall forfeit the game by a score of 1-0 unless the score was more favorable for the winner due to forfeit when the game was stopped, in which case the existing score shall be declared the final score.
      4. Any team failing to field a team within 20 minutes of a designated scheduled game without giving two days notice to the IFASA Board, and the opposing team representative shall forfeit the game. If the forfeiting team fails to notify the IFASA Board within  two days the team is liable for a $40 referee fee. Fees must be given to a IFASA Board member prior to the following game.
      5. Any team fielding more than six (6) male players will receive an initial warning from the referee. If a second infraction is made, the game will be recorded as a 1- 0 forfeit to the other team, unless the other team had a more favorable scoreline. 
  5. CANCELING AND RESCHEDULING GAMES
    1. If the league cancels a game due to inclement weather or for any other reason, the team representatives will be notified by phone and/or email by the IFASA Board at least four (4) hours in advance.
    2. If the IFASA Board cancels a game due to weather, the league will reschedule one game per season.
    3. It is the responsibility of the involved teams to reschedule canceled games if one or both teams are unable to play at the scheduled time.
  6. FIELDS
    1. Complaints and suggestions about the fields are to be directed to the City of Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation.
  7. CHANGE IN TEAM INFORMATION
    1. Change of phone number (esp. captains), change in team name or color, shall be reported to a IFASA board member as soon as possible.